Folding fish landing net with improved hinge mechanisms

ABSTRACT

The disclosure is directed to a fish landing net having a handle and elongate first and second frame members, the outer ends of which are joined by a hinge-like mechanism. In the improvement, the outer ends extend along an axis and the mechanism is mounted for pivoting movement about the axis. The mechanism pivots between a first position preventing folding the frame members and a second position permitting folding such members. The mechanism is urged toward the first position by a coiled spring, the twisting force of which is manually overcome to fold the net. The net also has a similar novel hinge-like mechanism joining the inward ends of the frame members. The spring-biased hinge mechanism per se is also disclosed for joining tube-like pieces.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to outdoor sports and, more particularly, tofishing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fishing is an activity having both commercial and sporting purposes. Itis highly popular as an outdoor sport, largely because of the solitude(or companionship) and opportunity to enjoy natural scenic beauty whichoften attends such sport. Of course, the successful angler can lookforward to a tasty meal.

And the sport has its economic aspects. Persons who enjoy fishing spendmillions of dollars on fishing equipment. In some aspects of gamefishing, e.g., lake fishing involving trolling or casting, participantsgo forth in boats laden with fishing gear of many types. Such gear mayinclude heavy tackle boxes containing the latest lures, live baitcontainers, multiple fishing poles and, of course, a large landing net.Persons who outfit themselves in this way and who engage in this type ofgame fishing find such activity practical only with a boat--there is noother good way to transport and use the gear.

On the other hand, persons who fly-fish trout streams make it a point tominimize the amount of equipment to be carried and to buy equipmentwhich is easy to pack, transport and use. It is not unusual for personsfishing for trout to fly to a site near their favorite location. And, ofcourse, such air travellers know that it is desirable to minimize theweight and space needed for the fishing gear.

One of the potentially bulkiest but necessary items of equipment used bypersons fishing for trout and similar fish is a landing net. In aneffort to address the need for a compact yet effective net, foldinglanding nets have been made available. Such nets have varying degrees ofcomplexity and ease of use. Folding landing nets are sold by Cabela's ofSidney, Neb., by The Global Flyfisher of Northbrook, Illinois, and bymany others.

In the patent literature, examples of fish landing nets are shown inU.S. Pat. Nos. 2,515,685 (Ash); 317,820 (McClintock); 4,870,773(Schmucker et al.); 1,430,221 ((Dukas) and 4,492,025 (Davis). The netsshown in such literature employ parts detachable from one another sothat the net can be folded or, at least, "shape-modified" in some way.

For example, the device shown in the Ash patent involves a net framehaving four segments fitted together. The outer ends of two segments arejoined by what the patent describes as heads through which a bolt ispassed and tightened when the net is in use. Such bolt as well as thehandle and its locking nut are removed for net folding.

The net shown in the Schmucker et al. patent has flexible, curvedarm-like members which telescope into rigid housing cylinders when thenet is collapsed. The net has two spring-biased caps preventing theouter ends of the members from scissoring when the net is in use. Suchcaps must be manually, simultaneously pushed back (as the patentdescribes it) to permit such outer ends to come into registry during netsetup. The caps are then released to hold such ends in that position.

While earlier landing nets have been generally satisfactory, many arecharacterized by certain disadvantages. One involves the fact that whenfolded for carrying, the user must contend with and keep track ofseveral loose parts. The device shown in the Ash patent is a goodexample.

Loose parts are (or should be) anathema to anglers and to trout anglersin particular. This is so since trout anglers often unfold their netsdirectly over water or very near water's edge. Assuming the angler issuccessful in getting all of the loose parts to the fishing site,inadvertent dropping and loss of a part may prevent effective landing ofcaught fish.

Yet another disadvantage of certain known folding landing nets is theircomplexity in construction, in use or both. The net shown in theSchmucker et al. patent is an example in its use of a relatively largenumber of parts, some telescoping, and the need for a degree of manualdexterity when setting up the net for use.

An improved landing net which has no loose parts, which is highlycompact and which is very easy to set up for use and fold for stowageand travel would be an important advance in the art.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved fish landing netovercoming some of the problems and shortcomings of prior art landingnets.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved fish landingnet wherein all of the parts are (or may be) attached together when thenet is folded for transport as well as when the net is in use.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved fish landingnet which reduces the number of parts required.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved fishlanding net which requires very little manual dexterity to set the netup for use or fold it for travel. How these and other objects areaccomplished will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription and the drawing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention involves improvements in a fish landing net having ahandle and elongate, tube-like first and second frame members. The framemembers (to which the net is attached) are bow-shaped or J-shaped andeach frame member has an outer end away from the net handle and aninward end adjacent to the handle. The outer ends are joined by ahinge-like outer mechanism.

In the improvement, the outer ends extend along an axis and the outermechanism is mounted for rotational, pivoting movement about the axis.Such pivoting movement is between a first position and a secondposition. In the first position, the mechanism forms a substantiallyrigid, beam-like structure preventing folding the frame members. In thesecond position, the mechanism permits folding such members.

More specifically, when the net is unfolded ready for use, the framemembers lie define and thus lie generally in a plane. The outermechanism includes first and second link members preferably permanentlyattached to one another by a pin-like fastener permitting relativemovement of the link members one to another. Each link member has asubstantially planar face in sliding contact with the face of the othermember.

When the mechanism is in the first position, the faces are substantiallycoincident with the plane so that the mechanism (then exhibitingstructural characteristics like a beam) resists bending and folding. Onthe other hand, when the mechanism is pivoted or rotated about 90° tothe second position, the faces are substantially normal to the plane,the mechanism exhibits characteristics like a hinge and the framemembers can be folded toward one another.

In other aspects of the invention, the outer mechanism is urged towardthe first position by a spring. Thus, the relatively-light torqueexerted by such spring is manually overcome to pivot the mechanism toits second, "fold-up" position.

At least one link member has a pin moving in a slot when the outermechanism is pivoted between the first and second positions. The pin andslot coact to limit pivoting movement. That is, the slot has first andsecond ends and the pin, urged by the spring, is at the first slot endwhen the outer mechanism is in the first position. Such pin is at thesecond slot end when the outer mechanism is manually rotated to thesecond position.

Briefly summarizing, the outer mechanism is spring-biased toward itsfirst position and when the net is unfolded, such mechanismautomatically assumes that position and acts as a beam to prevent theframe members from spontaneously re-folding. When the user wishes tostow the new landing net, s/he urges the outer mechanism to its secondposition using thumb or finger pressure. The "slide-by" faces of thelink members are then positioned normal to the plane defined by theframe members and the net can then be readily folded. It should also beappreciated that when the net is unfolded, the outer mechanismautomatically snaps into position--no manipulation of such mechanism bythe user is required.

The above describes some of the novel features of the outer mechanismjoining those ends of the frame members away from the user. But that isnot all. The highly preferred embodiment of the improved landing net hasadditional features relating to the inward hinge-like mechanism adjacentto the handle which makes such net very convenient to use and compact tocarry.

The inward ends of the frame members (those ends adjacent to the handle)are joined by a hinge-like inward mechanism having first and secondgenerally C-shaped members coupled to one another by a pin-likefastener. The second C-shaped member has a groove across it. The firstC-shaped member includes a handle mounting block pinned thereto forswinging movement of the block into and out of the groove.

When the net is unfolded, the C-shaped members are brought to a positionwhere they are generally in registry with one another. The block is"swung" into the groove and substantially prevents relative movement ofthe C-shaped members one to the other. The net is thus retained unfoldedready for use.

To put it another way, the C-shaped members are fastened together topermit relative "scissors-like" movement of the members one to theother. When the handle mounting block is pivoted into the groove, suchblock prevents such scissors-like movement and retains the C-shapedmembers "locked" together, i.e., relatively immovable one to the other.After the block is so positioned, the handle is tightened by meansdescribed below.

The handle mounting block has a handle stud extending from it and thehandle is threaded to the stud. By rotating the handle with respect tosuch stud, the user may tighten the handle preparatory to using the netor may loosen it so that the block can be swung 180° out of the grooveand the net then folded.

In the highly preferred embodiment, the stud has a handle retainingdevice, e.g., a lock washer, attached thereto near the stud distal end.The handle includes a bushing having a threaded aperture through it forreceiving the stud. Since the aperture is smaller than the retainingdevice and since the bushing is interposed between the mounting blockand the retainer, the handle is retained on the stud. However, suchhandle may be loosened or tightened for the purposes described above.

In another embodiment, the retaining device is omitted so that thehandle may simply be removed entirely. As explained below, one of thedesirable features of the new landing net is that there need not be anyloose parts to manipulate or become lost. While the configuration havingno retaining device is somewhat simpler in construction, it increasesthe risk that the handle might become lost. In yet anotherconfiguration, the stud is permanently attached to the handle and themounting block has a threaded hole to receive such stud.

While the outer hinge-like mechanism has been briefly described inconnection with an improved landing net, such mechanism has greatutility per se in joining elongate first and second tube-like pieces.Such pieces may be said to have a long axis coincident with a referenceplane, e.g., a vertical plane.

The hinge-like mechanism includes first and second link members, eachhaving a face in substantially coplanar contact with the face of theother member. The link members are mounted for movement between firstand second positions relative to the pieces. In the first position, the"slide-by" faces are substantially normal to the reference plane and themechanism forms a beam-like structure. In the second position, the facesare substantially coincident with the reference plane and the pieces arerelatively movable one to the other in the reference plane.

More specifically, the first link member has a barrel-like portion intelescoped relationship to the first piece and the mechanism includes aspring torsionally biasing the link members toward the first or "lockup" position. The inward or first end of the spring (i.e., that endclosest to the link members) has a first end attached to the barrel-likeportion to exert torque on such portion and, therefore, on the linkmembers. To provide an "anchor" for the spring, its second or outwardend is fixed with respect to the first tube-like piece.

Further details of the invention are set forth in the following detaileddescription and in the drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the improved landing net shown inconjunction with a carrying pouch.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the outer and inward "lockup/foldup"mechanisms together with the frame assembly (the frame and handlecomponents) of the net of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged top plan view of the outer mechanism shown in FIG.2. Related frame parts are broken away.

FIG. 4 is an elevation view of the mechanism of FIG. 3 as viewed fromthe outer end of the frame assembly shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an elevation view of the mechanism of FIG. 4 with themechanism parts slightly separated.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the mechanism of FIGS. 3-5 with themechanism parts slightly separated.

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the frame assembly of FIG. 2 andshowing the outer mechanism in a beam-like locked position.

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the frame assembly of FIG. 2 andshowing the outer mechanism in a joint-like hinging position.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the mechanism of FIGS. 3-6 shown inconjunction with tube-like pieces (with part broken away) joined by suchmechanism. The mechanism is shown in the locked position.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of the outer mechanism of FIGS.3-6 with parts broken away. The mechanism is shown in the lockedposition as when the net is in use.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the mechanism of FIGS. 9 and 10 in thehinging position for net folding.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the inward mechanism shown in FIG. 2.The mechanism is shown in the locked position and the alternate foldupposition of the handle mounting block and handle stud are shown inphantom outline.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the mechanism of FIG. 12 shown in anunlocked joint-like position for net foldup.

FIG. 14 is a side elevation view, partly in cross-section and with partsbroken away, of the net handle connected to the handle stud of themechanism of FIGS. 12 and 13.

FIG. 15 is a side elevation view of an alternate embodiment of thehandle and mounting stud. Parts are broken away and thread surfaces areshown in dashed outline.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the improved landing net 10 has a frame 11made of two frame members 13, 15. Such members 13, 15, preferablyfabricated of rigid, lightweight, hollow tubing, each have an outer end17a, 17b, respectively, away from the handle 21 and an inward end 19a,19b, respectively, adjacent to the handle 21. The illustrated framemembers 13, 15 are somewhat bow-shaped or J-shaped and the outer ends17a, 17b and inward ends 19a, 19b extend along axes 23 and 25,respectively. Such axes 23, 25 are generally normal to the long axis 27of the frame 11 and generally parallel to one another.

The net 10 also includes a hinge-like outer mechanism 29 and ahinge-like inward mechanism 31, details of each of which are describedbelow. The outer mechanism 29, including its two link members 33a, 33b,is described first.

Referring to FIGS. 3-6, each of the outer ends 17a, 17b of the framemembers 13, 15 is coupled to a link member, namely, first and secondlink members 33a and 33b, respectively. Such link members 33a, 33b arepreferably identical in shape and are attached to one another in"mirror-image" fashion by a pin-like fastener 35. Fastening is in amanner such that the faces 37a, 37b can pivotably slide relative to oneanother while yet maintaining continuous, face-to-face contact. That is,the joint should be relatively snug and not "sloppily" fitted. And eachof the faces 37a, 37b is a substantially planar.

Each link member 33a, 33b also has an abutment shoulder 39a, 39b and anabutment face 41a, 41b which contact the face 41b, 41a and shoulder 39b,39a, respectively, of the other member 33b, 33a when the outer mechanism29 is in the position shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. In other words,shoulder 39a contacts face 41b and shoulder 39b contacts face 41a. Thefaces 41a, 41b and shoulders 39a, 39b are preferably flat but othersurface configurations can be used.

Referring additionally to FIGS. 2 and 7-10, FIGS. 2, 7, 9 and 10 showthe link members 33 of the outer mechanism 29 in their first or "lockup"position. In such position, the faces 37 are generally coincident with(or at least parallel to) the plane 43 defined by the frame members 13,15 and the handle 21. The outer mechanism 29 thus provides beam-likestructural characteristics in that it prevents the ends 17 from beingbent or angled up or down with respect to one another. Rigidity in thefirst position is enhanced by the fact that the abutment faces 37 andshoulders 39 are then in contact as described above.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 11, the link members 33 of the outermechanism 29 are shown in their second position. Comparing FIGS. 7 and8, the second position is attained by rotating or pivoting the linkmembers 33 from the first position about 90° clockwise to the secondposition. In such second position, the faces 37 are generally normal tothe plane 43 and the mechanism 29 exhibits hinge-like characteristics.Thus, the frame members 13, 15 can be folded downward ("into" thedrawing sheet of FIG. 2) as shown in FIG. 11. The fully folded net isshown in FIG. 1.

In a highly preferred embodiment, the outer mechanism 29 is constructedso that the link members 33 are spring-biased to the first or "lockup"position. Such members 33 must be manually urged to the second positionto fold the net for stowage. Further details of the mechanism 29including the way in which it is spring biased will now be provided.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 9-11, the first link member 33a includesa somewhat elongate barrel-like portion 45a. When the mechanism 29 isinstalled in the net 10 as shown in FIG. 2, the portion 45a extendsalong the axis 23 of the outer end 17a and is telescoped to such end17a. The mechanism 29 also includes a spring 47 (preferably a coiledspring) having its first end 49 attached to the portion 45a. One way toattach the end 49 to the portion 45a is by "turning" the last coil ofthe spring 47 and inserting such coil tongue-and-groove fashion into theslot 51 in the portion 45a.

The second end 53 of the spring 47 is fixed with respect to the outerend 17a (or other tube piece) into which it extends. Such end 53 may befixed by forming a retaining tang 55 in the wall 57 and crimping the end53 under the tang 55. It should be appreciated that during springinstallation, the spring should be "torqued" or turned somewhat from itsnatural repose position to create some "preload" or torsional bias. Thishelps assure that when the ends 17a, 17b and are attached as described,the spring 47 tends to urge the link members 33 to the first position asthe spring 47 tries to return to its repose position.

Referring further to FIG. 10, the second link member 33b also includes asomewhat elongate barrel-like portion 45b extending along the axis 23 ofthe outer end 17b and telescoped to such end 17b. Each portion 45 has aradially-protruding pin 59, 61 movable in a slot, i.e., slots 63 and 65,respectively.

In a highly preferred embodiment, a pin 59, 61 is at the first slot 67aend when the link members 33 are in the first or lockup position. Thepins 59, 61 and the slot end 67a thus form a "stop" to limit rotationaltravel of the members 33. This helps assure that in the lockup position,the members 33 are positioned such that the faces 37 are generallycoincident to or parallel with the plane 43. Maximum net rigidityresults.

While not a requirement, it is also preferred that the pins 59, 61 andslots 63, 65 are cooperatively configured and positioned so that thepins 59, 61 are at the second slot end 67b when the link members 33 arein the second or "foldup" position. With this arrangement, the user neednot guess when the link members 33 are in position for smooth netfolding; s/he simply pushes the link members 33 toward the secondposition until the pins 59, 61 contact their respective slot ends 67b.The user is thus assured that the faces 37 are then essentially normalto the plane 43 and the net 10 can be folded without risk of damagingthe parts.

A comparison of FIGS. 2, 7, 9 and 10 on the one hand with FIGS. 8 and 11on the other will help appreciate how the mechanism 29 works. FIGS. 2,7, 9 and 10 show the mechanism 29 as it would be with the net 10unfolded ready for use and the link members 33 in the first or lockupposition. FIGS. 8 and 11 show the mechanism 29 as it appears in thesecond or foldup position.

The outer mechanism 29 can be used in either of at least two ways. Oneway is to install such mechanism 29 so that the portions 45 extenddirectly into the outer ends 17a, 17b, respectively, of the net framemembers 13, 15. In that event, the slot 63 and tang 55 are formed in thewall 57 of the end 17a and the slot 65 formed in end 17b. FIG. 10 showshow the mechanism 29 is installed directly into the frame outer ends 17.(Parenthetically, it will be appreciated after analyzing thisspecification that components of the outer mechanism 29 can be reversedend-for-end with respect to the frame outer ends 17 and still achievethe same result.)

Referring now to FIG. 9, another way to use the outer mechanism 29 is tobuild it as an assembly for later attachment to the outer ends 17 or toother tube-like pieces used for other purposes. As an assembly, themechanism 29a includes short lengths of tubes identified as 69 and 71 inFIG. 9. The tang 55 and slots 63, 65 are formed in such tubes 69, 71 asillustrated and when used to make a folding landing net 10 or for otherpurposes, the tubes 69, 71 are slidably telescoped into the outer ends17a and 17b, respectively. The tubes 69, 71 and ends 17a, 17b are heldtightly together, preferably by pop-rivets 73, 75 inserted throughappropriate holes 77, 79, respectively. If the assembly is used to makea net 10, it is preferred that such rivets 73, 75 be installed so thattheir heads are toward the interior of the net 10. The outer edge of thenet frame 11 is often scraped across rocks when in use and such rivetpositioning helps avoid wearing away the rivet head.

Referring now to FIGS. 2, 12 and 13, a highly preferred embodiment ofthe improved landing net 10 has additional features relating to theinward hinge-like mechanism 31 adjacent to the handle 21 and relating tothe handle 21 itself. Such features make the net 10 very convenient touse and compact to carry without risking the loss of parts.

The inward ends 19 of the frame members 13, 15 (those ends 19 adjacentto the handle 21) are generally coextensive with axis 25 when the net 10is unfolded ready for use. The ends 19 are joined by a hinge-like inwardmechanism 31 having first and second generally C-shaped members 77a,77b, respectively. Each member 77a, 77b has a cylindrical post 79a or79b, respectively, telescoped into (or over) an end 19a or 19b,respectively. Each post 79 is permanently fastened to its respective end19 as with a pop rivet 73 or 75 much in the same fashion as describedabove. Such members 77 are coupled to one another by a pin-like fastener35 in much the same way as the link members 33 are fastened together.

The first C-shaped member 77a has a groove 81 across it, i.e., extendinggenerally normal to the axis 25. The second C-shaped member 77b includesa handle mounting block 83 pinned thereto for "swinging" movement of theblock 83 into and out of the groove 81. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 12, theblock 83 swings about an axis 85 generally parallel to the axis 25.

When the net 10 is unfolded, the C-shaped members 77a, 77b are broughtto a position where they are generally in registry with one another. Theblock 83 is then "swung" into the groove 81. The width of the block 83is selected to be only slightly less than the width of the groove 81 sothat the block 83 substantially prevents relative movement of theC-shaped members 77a, 77b one to the other. The net 10 is thus rigidlyretained unfolded ready for use.

Explained in another way, the C-shaped members 77a, 77b are fastenedtogether to permit relative "scissors-like" movement of the members 77one to the other so long as the block 83 is clear of the groove 81. Whenthe handle mounting block 81 is pivoted into the groove 81, it preventssuch scissors-like movement and retains the C-shaped members 77 "locked"together, i.e., relatively immovable one to the other. After the block83 is so positioned, the handle 21 is tightened by means describedbelow.

The handle mounting block 83 has a handle stud 87 extending from it andthe handle 21 is threaded to the stud 87. By rotating the handle 21 withrespect to such stud 87, the user tightens the handle 21 preparatory tousing the net 10 or loosen it so that the block 83 can be swung 180° outof the groove 81 and the net 10 then folded.

Referring next to FIG. 14, in a highly preferred embodiment, the stud 87has a handle retaining device, e.g., a lock washer 89, attached theretonear the stud distal end 91. The handle 21 includes an attached bushing93 having a threaded aperture 95 through it for receiving the stud 87.Since the aperture 95 is smaller than the retaining device 89 and sincethe bushing 93 is interposed between the mounting block 83 and thedevice 89, the handle 21 is retained on the stud 87. However, suchhandle 21 may be loosened or tightened for the purposes described above.

In another embodiment, the retaining device 89 is omitted so that thehandle 21 may simply be removed entirely. But one of the desirablefeatures available in the new landing net 10 is that there need not beany loose parts to manipulate or become lost. While the configurationhaving no retaining device 89 is somewhat simpler in construction, itincreases the risk that the handle 21 might become lost. In yet anotherconfiguration shown in FIG. 15, the stud 87 is permanently attached tothe handle 21 and the mounting block 83 has a threaded hole 97 toreceive such stud 87. In such configuration, the handle stud 87 ismerely screwed to or unscrewed from the mounting block 83.

As shown in FIG. 1, the improved landing net 10 may be convenientlystowed and carried in a soft, substantially flat pouch 99. Such pouch 99is conformably shaped to the outline of the net 10 when the net 10 isfolded.

Referring again to FIGS. 2 and 9, it is now apparent how the hinge-likemechanism 29 can be used to joining elongate first and second tube-likepieces which, as identified as ends 17a, 17b, are part of a landing net10. But, of course, other tube-like pieces (part of a structure otherthan a landing net 10) can likewise be joined. That is to say, thehinge-like mechanism 29 can be fabricated as an assembly for a varietyof purposes.

While the invention has been described in connection with a fewpreferred embodiments, it is to be understood clearly that suchembodiments are by way of example and not limitation.

I claim:
 1. In a fish landing net having a handle extending along ahandle axis and having elongate first and second frame members andwherein (a) each frame member has an outer end away from the handle andan inward end adjacent to the handle, and (b) the outer ends are joinedby a hinge-like outer mechanism, the improvement wherein:the framemembers define a plane;. the outer ends extend along an end axis whichis substantially normal to the handle axis and coincident with theplane; the outer mechanism is mounted for pivoting movement about theend axis; and, pivoting movement is between a first position preventingfolding the frame members and a second position permitting folding suchmembers.
 2. The net of claim 1 wherein the outer mechanism is urgedtoward the first position by a spring.
 3. The net of claim 2 wherein;oneof the frame members has a slot formed therein; and at least one linkmember has a pin moving in the slot when the outer mechanism is pivotedbetween the first and second positions, whereby the pin and slot coactto limit pivoting movement.
 4. The net of claim 3 wherein the slot hasfirst and second ends and the pin is at the first slot end when theouter mechanism is in the first position and is at the second slot endwhen the outer mechanism is in the second position.
 5. The net of claim1 wherein:the inward ends are joined by a hinge-like inward mechanismhaving first and second generally C-shaped members coupled to oneanother; and, the second C-shaped member has a groove thereacross. 6.The net of claim 5 wherein the first C-shaped member includes a handlemounting block pinned thereto for swinging movement of the block intoand out of the groove.
 7. The net of claim 6 wherein:the C-shapedmembers are generally in registry with one another; and, the block is inthe groove and substantially prevents relative movement of the C-shapedmembers one to the other,whereby the net is retained unfolded ready foruse.
 8. The net of claim 6 wherein the handle mounting block has ahandle stud extending therefrom and the handle is threaded to the studfor easy handle removal when the net is being folded.
 9. The net ofclaim 6 wherein:the handle mounting block has a threaded handle studextending therefrom; the stud has a handle retaining device attachedthereto; the handle includes a bushing having an aperture therethroughfor receiving the stud; the aperture is smaller than the retainingdevice; and, the bushing is interposed between the mounting block andthe retainer,whereby the handle is retained on the stud and may beloosened to facilitate net folding.
 10. In a fish landing net having ahandle and elongate first and second frame members and wherein (a) eachframe member has an outer end away from the handle and an inward endadjacent to the handle, and (b) the outer ends are joined by ahinge-like outer mechanism, the improvement wherein:the outer endsextend along an axis; the outer mechanism is mounted for pivotingmovement about the axis; pivoting movement is between a first positionpreventing folding the frame members and a second position permittingfolding such members;and wherein: the frame members define a plane whenthe net is unfolded ready for use; the outer mechanism includes firstand second link members attached to one another; each link member has asubstantially planar face in contact with the face of the other member;the faces are substantially coincident with the plane and the outermechanism forms a beam-like structure when such mechanism is in thefirst position; and the faces are substantially normal to the plane whenthe outer mechanism is in the second position.
 11. In a fish landing nethaving a handle and elongate first and second frame members and wherein(a) each frame member has an outer end away from the handle and aninward end adjacent to the handle, and (b) the outer ends are joined bya hinge-like outer mechanism, the improvement wherein:the outer endsextend along an axis; the outer mechanism is mounted for pivotingmovement about the axis and is urged toward a first position by aspring; pivoting movement is between the first position preventingfolding the frame members and a second position permitting folding suchmembers; one of the frame members has a slot; at least one link memberhas a pin moving in the slot when the outer mechanism is pivoted betweenthe first and second positions, whereby the pin and slot coact to limitpivoting movement;and wherein: the slot has first and second ends andthe pin is at the first slot end when the outer mechanism is in thefirst position and is at the second slot end when the outer mechanism isin the second position.
 12. In a fish landing net having a handle andelongate first and second frame members and wherein (a) each framemember has an outer end away from the handle and an inward end adjacentto the handle, and (b) the outer ends are joined by a hinge-like outermechanism, the improvement wherein:the outer ends extend along an axis;the outer mechanism is mounted for pivoting movement about the axis;pivoting movement is between a first position preventing folding theframe members and a second position permitting folding such members;andwherein: the inward ends of the frame members are joined by a hinge-likeinward mechanism having first and second generally C-shaped memberscoupled to one another; the second C-shaped member has a groovethereacross; the first C-shaped member includes a handle mounting blockpinned thereto for swinging movement of the block into and out of thegroove; the handle mounting block has a threaded handle stud extendingtherefrom; the stud has a handle retaining device attached thereto; thehandle includes a bushing having an aperture therethrough for receivingthe stud; the aperture is smaller than the retaining device; and, thebushing is interposed between the mounting block and the retainer. 13.In a fish landing net having a handle and elongate first and secondframe members and wherein (a) each frame member has an outer end awayfrom the handle and an inward end adjacent to the handle, and (b) theouter ends are joined by a hinge-like outer mechanism, the improvementwherein:the frame members generally define a plane when the net isunfolded ready for use; the outer mechanism includes a pair of linkmembers, each having a generally flat face; the outer mechanism ismounted for pivoting movement between a first position and a secondposition,and wherein: in the first position, the faces of the linkmembers are generally parallel to the plane and folding of the framemembers is prevented; and in the second position, the faces of the linkmembers are generally normal to the plane and folding of the framemembers is permitted.